Bethlehem, PA – September 12, 2023 – The Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA) is excited to announce the return of the Celtic Classic happening September 22^nd – 24^th.  Celtic Classic is the largest free Celtic festival in North America!  Five stages of world-renowned Celtic entertainers will fill downtown Bethlehem with the sounds of tin whistles, fiddles and of course bagpipes!

There are many new names this year coming from Isle of Man, Scotland, Ireland and Texas.  Being introduced for the first time will be: Mec Lir (Isle of Man), On the Lash (Ireland), Heron Valley (Scotland) and Jiggernaut (Texas).  These bands range from traditional to Celtic rock and fusion.  They will keep toes tapping and inspire a jig or two.  Local favorites Craig Thatcher & Nyke Van Wyck return with their Celtic repertoire along with Piper’s Request and Blackwater. Tempest makes a grand return bringing a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock, fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads and Norwegian influences with other world music.

The U.S. National Highland Games Championship will see the top pro highland athletes in the country competing for the title of National Champion.  John Van Beuren returns to defend his title.

The event kicks off Friday with Haggis Bowl 2023 taking place on Highland Field at 5:30 to see who can eat a pound of haggis the fastest.

The Showing of the Tartan Parade will be one of the largest ever.  The parade steps off from City Hall at 11:30am on Saturday, 09/23.  Nine competing pipe bands will participate along with the U.S. Naval Academy Pipe Band, Scottish clans, Freedom and Liberty High School marching bands.  The Grade 4 pipe band competition will take place on Saturday beginning at 1:30pm.  This will be one of the largest Grade 4 competitions of the season with bands from as far away as Tennessee participating.  Grade 3 will compete on Sunday at 12:00.

Celtic Heritage Hollow located in the Colonial Industrial Quarter has loads of activities for children, 15 Scottish clans will be present to share historical and genealogical information and Heritage Stage will have interesting lectures such as Irish Keening by Annie Wilson, Welsh Miners & Engineers in 19th century PA
Lecture by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Highland Wear by USA Kilts.  O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance will hold an interactive demonstration and don’t miss Freedom High School’s Celtic Ensemble.

There will be food galore ranging from haggis, bridies, bangers & mash to poutine and crab cakes!  Save to time peruse the 50 Celtic merchants with goods from all seven Celtic nations like apparel, jewelry, décor and more.

The 36^th Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival runs from Friday, September 22^nd through Sunday, September 24^th, 2023, in Historic Downtown Bethlehem.  For up-to-the-minute information and updates, follow Celtic Classic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@CelticClassic).

For more information on the Celtic Classic, directions, volunteering opportunities, the weekend’s schedule, and other Celtic Cultural Alliance events, visit the organization’s website at www.celticfest.org.

Find Us On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @CelticClassic